BATON ROUGE (May 26, 2010) - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham announced the following opening to recreational and commercial fishing in portions of state inside and outside waters east of the Mississippi River effective immediately today June 9. A precautionary closure of this area was issued April 30. To date, no oil has been documented in this area.

Inshore Openings
The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the double-rig line in LA R.S.56:495.1 south of 29 degrees 37 minutes 54 seconds north latitude near Curlew Island will open effective immediately today June 9, 2010. The area south and east of Baptiste Collette Bayou will remain closed.

Territorial Sea Openings
The state's territorial seas east of the Mississippi River south of 29 degrees 37 minutes 54 seconds north latitude near Curlew Island and north of 29 degrees 21 minutes 32.7 seconds north latitude near Baptiste Collette Bayou will open effective immediately today June 9, 2010.

Precautionary closures of recreational and commercial fishing have been implemented based on the best information the Secretary of the Department receives from field biologists, staff and trajectory models from NOAA.

Once reports of oil are received, LDWF initiates a field survey and immediate seafood testing in the suspected areas. Closures are subsequently made with the intent to be as safe as possible, while not closing any fishing areas unnecessarily. As test results come back clearing the area, effected waters are then reopened.

LDWF continues to work closely with DHH in an effort to assess all opportunities to resume normal fishing activities on Louisiana's coast and guarantee the safety of Louisiana's seafood.